Edwin Noh, the founder and CEO of NOH Foods of Hawaii, has died at the age of 88, according to his family.

He died quietly at his Honolulu home on Dec. 15.

Noh was born in Waialua.  His family later moved to the Punchbowl area.

Noh's father was an immigrant worker from Korea.  He learned to cook from his mother.

Noh and his wife, Miriam, opened Arirang Restaurant on Kaheka Street in the early 1960s.  He wanted dehydrated spices to help in making kim chee and that's how the NOH Foods empire began.

Noh started making dry Asian seasonings and now makes other products like barbeque sauces and iced tea.

2013 marks the 50th anniversary of NOH Foods of Hawaii.  NOH products are distributed across the mainland U.S. and internationally to 20 countries.

People in the food industry credit Noh as the first-ever to successfully package Asian seasonings and mixes in a dehydrated powder form.

He wasn't only a businessman, but a developer too.  Noh built hotels in Waikiki, including a 10-story building that at one time was the tallest building along the Ala Wai Canal.

His son, Raymond, says his father loved life and lived a great life.  Noh provided well for his family, was a colorful man and had lots of friends, according to Raymond.